Theme 4: Skills and diversity

What we’ve heard

Australia has a highly skilled and diverse population that stands to benefit from robotics and automation. These technologies can open new career opportunities and allow workers to focus on higher value and more rewarding activities. Supporting Australian workers to adapt to technological change will need ongoing education, training and reskilling. Building a diverse workforce in the robotics and automation industry will further increase the size of our talent pool and include broader perspectives, improving innovation, creativity and problem-solving.

Building sustainable education pathways

While Australia has a highly skilled workforce, the growth of our robotics and broader technology ecosystem will benefit from an increase in STEM graduates at tertiary levels. To achieve this, we need to support quality STEM education at all levels of schooling. This would include fostering digital literacy and interest in STEM for children in early learning environments and primary school. 

Many primary schools offer robotics as part of their curriculum as an engaging way to generate student interest in problem-solving and other STEM skills. Using robots in classrooms can help to foster critical thinking, coding, engineering, mathematics and design skills. Engaging early is important for the future robotics and automation workforce to be representative of Australia’s diverse population. It is also important to provide support to schools and teachers so they have the knowledge and capacity to deliver robotics-related Australian Curriculum content.

After leaving school, pathways into robotics and automation careers are varied. There is a large list of accreditation and qualifications relevant to robotics and automation. However, understanding the skills needed and navigating the pathways through education and training and into the workforce can be difficult. This can limit the attraction to, and accessibility of, robotics and automation careers. 

Some roles require undergraduate or post-graduate degrees. Australian universities are highly regarded internationally for the quality of their STEM courses. This is especially true for aeronautical engineering, bio-engineering, civil and structural engineering, computer science, electronic engineering and materials science degrees. Other roles require trade or vocational skills that students can get through on-the-job training and vocational education and training (VET) courses. TAFEs and other vocational institutions are introducing relevant courses across Australia. We have already seen an increase in the popularity of robotics-related micro-credentials, vocational courses and qualifications. 

Degrees in mechatronics engineering – a hybrid of mechanical and electrical engineering – can be a direct pathway into robotics. However, STEM training and qualifications are not the only options for pursuing robotics and automation careers. Other disciplines including design, social sciences, law and ethics, play an important role in the responsible development and use of robotics and automation. Multidisciplinary robotics skills will create a workforce with diverse experiences and backgrounds that can lead to more varied perspectives and improve the quality of solutions. 

For those already in the workforce, upskilling and reskilling pathways need to be accessible and available. Accessible pathways are vital so workers can develop the skills needed to work alongside robotics and automation technologies. Industry has an important role to play in this, alongside our education providers. Support for workers may involve training programs that focus on the skills and knowledge needed to work safely alongside robotics and automation, as well as through hands-on experience operating these technologies. 

In the mining and resources sector, for example, tailored courses are available to upskill and train staff in the use of robotics specific to their industry. This approach is not only giving workers the skills they need, but also a greater understanding of the benefits of adopting robotics and automation technologies in their work. Additionally, creating a supportive environment for workers, such as through cultural awareness, inclusion and safety measures, can help ensure that no one is left behind in the transition to more automated work environments. 

Attracting and retaining a diverse workforce

To improve the diversity of the robotics and automation workforce, industry, academia and government must create opportunities for under-represented groups. We can achieve this through targeted training and education programs, inclusive hiring practices and research-informed support. Marginalised groups in STEM fields include women, First Nations people, people with disability, older people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and LGBTIQA+ people. 

A report from the Office of the Chief Scientist shows that only 0.5% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people hold a STEM degree. This compares to 5.2% of people in the wider community (Office of the Chief Scientist 2020). In 2021, the proportion of women in STEM-qualified occupations was only 15% (DISR 2023b). This trend carries into the robotics industry, where women make up somewhere between 7% and 19% of robotics engineers (Department of Defence 2023). 

There are already several initiatives that support diversity in the robotics and automation industry. However, we need to do more so that the industry reflects, supports and benefits broader Australian society. Encouraging and supporting a diverse robotics workforce will help Australia combat domestic labour and skills shortages. It will also bring a range of perspectives, knowledge and understanding to the workforce. Research across industries shows that diversity in the workforce boosts innovation, creativity and problem-solving. While diverse workers should not be made primarily responsible for making their industry more inclusive, diversity in the workforce can encourage the development of inclusive and trustworthy technologies.

Supporting government initiatives

The Australian Government has many initiatives underway to increase skills and diversity in Australian industries. A number of these initiatives support the government’s commitment to reach 1.2 million tech-related jobs by 2030.

• Supporting a thriving, skilled and diverse STEM workforce by boosting STEM programs that focus on women and science to reach more diverse cohorts.
• The National Strategy to Achieve Gender Equality guides whole of community action to make Australia one of the best countries in the world for a gender equal society.
• The Employment White Paper provides a roadmap for Australia to improve access to digital skills, promote tech adoption and grow the digital workforce. This will allow the workforce to harness the opportunities of the economic transformation associated with digitalisation and emerging technologies.
• The Australian Universities Accord pursues meaningful reform improve the quality, accessibility, affordability and sustainability of higher education.
• The National Skills Agreement expands and transforms access to the VET sector, support quality training and implement reforms to address critical skills need.
• Jobs and Skills Australia provides high quality data, analysis, and insights to better understand Australia’s skills and labour shortages across the economy.
• Jobs and Skills Councils strengthen industry engagement in the VET sector including one dedicated for Finance, Technology and Business sectors with responsibility for undertaking skills and workforce planning to support and strengthen Australia’s digital and technology workforce.
• The Migration Strategy simplifies visa application processes and ensures that migration programs complement the skills and capabilities of Australian workers.
• Fee Free TAFE supports over 355,000 student enrolments nationally, of which over 10,900 were directly in the Technology and Digital Sector. 
• The TAFE Technology Fund invests $50 million to modernise IT infrastructure, workshops, laboratories, and other facilities at TAFEs across Australia.
• The Australian Skills Guarantee leverages government purchasing power to help address skills shortages and gender segregation in the building and construction and maintenance services and information and communications technology (ICT) sectors. 
• The Building Women’s Careers program expands support for women training in male-dominated industries, including in STEM.

To improve our skills and diversity in the robotics ecosystem, the strategy has set the following objectives, outcomes and indicators of success.

Objectives

• Strengthen pathways into robotics-related careers
• Identify ways to better promote diversity and inclusion in robotics industries
• Monitor and plan for workforce changes and skills development alongside greater adoption of robotics and automation technologies
• Attract skilled migrants to increase our economic prosperity and security
• Raise awareness of the skills needed to support a technologically advanced economy

Outcomes

• Improved STEM and digital literacy build the skills Australians needed to develop, produce and adopt robots, and prepare for the future of work.
• Improved diversity and inclusivity in the robotics ecosystem and workplaces to help address jobs and skills shortages and improve the innovation and inclusivity of robotics and automation solutions.
• Clear pathways attract Australian and international talent to the Australian robotics industry and workforce.
• A deeper understanding of Australia’s tech and robotics workforce allows for more targeted actions to boost strengths and address skills needs of the future.

Indicators of success

• Increased number of robotics-related job vacancies in Australia.
• Increased enrolments and completions in robotics-related STEM courses.
• Increased number of robotics-related STEM training and education programs.
• Increased skilled migration intake for robotics-related occupations.
• Increased diversity in STEM course enrolments and workforce participation.